Big 12 confirms negotiations with TCU

Acting upon a unanimous recommendation of its expansion subcommittee, the Big 12 Conference Board of Directors on Thursday morning authorized negotiations with Texas Christian University to become the conference’s 10th member.

The action of the Board was without dissent. On the advice of legal counsel The University of Missouri did not participate in the vote.

Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds issued a statement:

“We’re proud that TCU has been invited to join the Big 12,” Dodds said. “Their commitment to academics and success on the field make them an excellent fit.

“With a solid budget and strong financial support, they have been proactive at improving facilities. Their close proximity to all conference institutions makes for a comfortable travel situation.”

In another development, the board of directors in the Big 12 agreed to a formal grant of television rights for a minimum of six years.

The approval by the board was unanimous, according to a Big 12 release, but it added that Missouri did not participate in the vote on the advice of legal counsel.

Neinas was authorized by the board to immediately distribute legal documents for institutional execution.

An earlier vote related to equal revenue distribution becomes effective upon the formal assignment of rights by all institutions.

The board did not set a deadline but indicated a desire to expedite the approval process.

The grant of rights was included in a joint resolution proposed by both Oklahoma and Texas.

In addition to the grant of television rights for at least a six-year period, the proposal included agreements related to high school content and access to football games for institutional third-tier telecast packages.

The Longhorn Network is considered a third-tier package.

Specifics of the resolution included an agreement that during the term of the grant of rights:

There will be no changes related to current or future primary television rights agreements or conference bylaws, rules or policies related to member institution branded outlet rights;

Conference bylaws will reflect that no member institution branded outlet will show high school games or highlights, noting that it is permissible pursuant to NCAA interpretation to use scores, standings and statistics of high school games;

Also, additional games beyond the one member institution retained football game for telecast purposes must be approved by both institutions and both conference telecast partners.